Hinges with built-in door check

ABSTRACT

This hinge device with friction-type built-in door retainer is designed more particularly for the side doors of automotive vehicles and comprises two straps, one strap having its parallel wings pivoted to a pivot pin extending between the parallel wings of the other strap, the wings of the first strap being interconnected, beyond said pin, by a first door holding member lying on the path of a second door holding member secured between the wings of the other strap. One of these two holding members is adapted to recede against the resilient force of a spring when engaged by the other member.

tees atet 1191 Ventre 1451 Mar. 27, 1973 HINGES WITH BUILT-1N DOOR CHECK [75] Inventor: Pierre Ventre, Billancourt, France [73] Assignees: Regie Nationale Des Usines Renault, Billancourt; Automobiles Peugeot, Paris, France 22 Filed: Apr. 9, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 132,770

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 10, 1970 A France ..70l3006 [52] US. Cl. ..l6/50, 16/142, 16/145, 16/180 [51] Int. Cl ..E05f 3/20, E0511 1 1/08 [58] Field of Search....1 6/145, 142, 50, 85, 180,, 182-, 16/86; 292/75, 341.15

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 724,039 3 1903 Peterkin ..l6/l82 I 3,381,332 5/1968 Jerila et ...l6/145 3,371,374 3/1968 Marchione 16/145 2,687,548 8/1954 Price ..16/86 A 2,721,754 10/1955 Loeb ..292/341.15 3,397,422 8/1968 Youngdale 16/ 1 so FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 227,406 5/1935 Austria ..16/180 636,831 5 1950 561,248 12 1929 Germany ..292 341. 15

Primary ExaminerFrancis K. Zugel Assistant ExaminerPeter A. Aschenbrenner Attomey-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher ABSTRACT This hinge device with friction-type built-in door retainer is designed more particularly for the side doors of automotive vehicles and comprises two straps, one strap having its parallel wings pivoted to a pivot pin extending between the parallel wings of the other strap, the wings of the first strap being interconnected, beyond said pin, by a first door holding member lying on the path of a second door holding member secured between the wings of the other strap.

One of these two holding members is adapted to recede against the resilient force of a spring when engaged by the other member.

. 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU MAR 2 7 I973 SHEET 2 BF 2 IIINGES WITH BUILT-IN DOOR CHECK The present invention relates in general to hinge devices adapted for use in the mounting of lateral doors of automotive vehicles, and has specific reference to hinge devices of this general type but provided with built-in check means for retaining or holding the doorin a predetermined open position.

Built-in door check devices are already known which comprise a spring blade; however, these known devices are not very reliable because they are confronted with strength and reliability of the system. Torsion-blade or coil spring devices are also known, but they are objectionable on account of their considerable over-all dimensions and their high cost.

It is the essential object of this invention to provide a hinge device with built-in door check means which permits relatively broad manufacturing tolerances and is characterized by a great constructional simplicity affording a satisfactory operation at a comparatively very low cost.

The present invention is applicable more particularly but not exclusively to a type of hinge with built-in door check for the lateral doors of automotive vehicles, which comprises a pair of straps each formed with a pair of wings interconnected by a web constituting a fastening plate, a first strap pivoting about a pivot pin in the other strap, the wings of the first strap being disposed between those of the other strap.

The hinge device according to this invention is characterized in that the free or outer ends of the wings of the first strap extend beyond the pivot pin and are interconnected by a first door-holding or check member having a rectilinear shaped surface of which at least one portion opposite to said pivot pin is parallel thereto and projects between said free ends. This first holding member is adapted to co-act with a second holding member extending through the wings of said second strap, between the fastening plate or web thereof and said pivot pin, said second holding member having a rectilinear shaped surface of which at least the portion facing the pivot pin is parallel thereto and lies on the path of the shaped surface of the first holding member. One of the two shaped surfaces is adapted to retract or recede under the pressure exerted by the other shaped surface, against the resistance of a resilient force.

According to a preferred form of embodiment said second holding member consists of a cylindrical rod engaging slots formed in the wings of the other strap and directed substantially radially in relation to said pivot pin. The first holding member consists of a small bar rigid with the wings of the first strap and of which the shaped surface is formed on a friction member rigid with 'said bar. Said resilient force is provided by a curved spring blade substantially parallel to the pivot pin extending through said slots and tensioned between on the one hand the slot ends remotest from said pivot pin and on the other hand the central portion of said rod.

According to a modified form of embodiment, one of the door-holding members consists of a cylindrical rod having its ends retained by the wings of one of the two straps, the other holding member consisting of a socket of elastomeric material which surrounds a rod having its ends retained in the axial direction by the wings of the other strap.

A clearer understanding of this invention will be had from the following description given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. I is an elevational view with parts broken away illustrating a hinge device according to this invention, provided with a spring blade FIG. 2 is a detail view showing the spring blade alone FIG. 3 is a plan view from above showing the hinge device of FIG. 1, I

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing a modified form of embodiment of the hinge device equipped with a tubular spring of elastomeric material FIG. 5 is a detail view showing the tubular spring of FIG. 4, and

FIG. 6 is a plan view from above of the hinge device of FIG. 4.

As clearly shown in FIGS..1, 2 and 3, the hinge according to this invention comprises a pair of straps l, 2 of pressed, bent or folded sheet metal; each strap comprises a pair of wings I and 2' bent at right angles to the corresponding web. Thus, the two wings of each strap are interconnected by a web 3, 4 constituting at the same time a fastening plate. Under these conditions the hinge is adapted to be secured by means of a web 3 to the stile or jamb of the vehicle body (not shown), and by means of the other web 4 to the door proper (not shown).

Formed in the wings I are a pair of aligned slots 5 receiving on the one hand a spring blade 6 formed at each ends with a pair of lateral notches 7 and on the other hand a cylindrical rod 8 formed with an integral retaining head 9. The spring 6 is wider than the slots 5 and the notches 7 permit the mounting of the spring blade by firstly introducing same after rotating it through in relation to its operative position. Moreover, this spring blade is curved in the unstressed condition. The rod 8 is engaged into said slots 5 after the spring blade 6 and bears against the latter and also against one end of each slot 5. Across the outer ends of wings 2' of strap 2 a small bar is secured this bar comprises a supporting strip 10 to which a friction strip 11 of a material having a high coefficient of friction is secured. Advantageously, this friction strip 11 may consist of brake shoe lining material.

The straps I and 2 are pivoted to each other by means of a pivot pin 12 consisting of a spindle having an enlarged head this pivot pin 12 extends through holes formed in the four wings to be pivotally assembled and is retained in its axial position by means of an external circlip 13 engaging an annular groove formed in thespindle end portion opposite to said head.

With this hinge construction it is clear that during the door opening movement the friction plate, after a predetermined angular movement, engages the rod 8 and causes same to recede against the resistance of spring blade 6. The spring resistance constitutes the hard point necessary for releasably holding the door in the desired open position. This point may be disposed asymmetrically by properly shaping the cross sectional contour of plate 11. In certain known systems the resilient member is disposed between the pivot pin and the axis of said hard or retaining point, thus implying a relatively short and therefore weak lever arm. In the case of the device of this invention, the resilient member is positioned beyond the axis of the hard or retaining point in relation to the pivot pin, thus increasing appreciably the lever arm and therefore the efficiency of the hinge system.

According to a simplified and particularly economical form of embodiment of this device, which is applicable to relatively small units not involving considerable stress values, the above-described assembly may be replaced by the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6.

In this modified structure the shape of straps l4 and 15 is substantially the same as that of the straps shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. However, in this alternate form of embodiment the rod 8 formed with a retaining head 9 engages a pair of circular holes formed in the wings 14. The wings 15 of the other strap 15 are interconnected across their outer ends by means-of a rod 16 freely engaged through the axial bore of a roll, sleeve or like tubular member 17 of suitable elastomeric material, This roll 17 will thus co-act with the rod 8 in the same fashion as the rod 8 with the composite bar l0, ll of the preceding example. The hard point is thus obherein without departing from the basic principle of the invention as set forth in the appended claims;

What is claimed as new is:

l. A hinge device with built-in door retainer for the lateral doors of motor vehicles, which comprises two straps each formed with a pair of parallel wings interconnected at one end by a perpendicular web constituting the fastening plate, a first strap revolving about a pivot pin within the other strap, the wings of the first strap being engaged between those of the other strap, thefree ends of the wings of said first strap extending beyond said pivot pin and being interconnected by a first holding member formed with a rectilinear shaped surface of which at least one portion opposite to said pivot pin is parallel to said pivot pin and projects slightly beyond said free ends, said first holding member being adapted to co-act with another holding member extending through the wings of said other strap between its fastening plate and said pivot pin, said other holding member comprising a rectilinear shaped radially in relation to said ivot in, said first h oldin member IS a small bar Hg] with he wings of said firs strap and having its shaped surface formed on a friction member rigid with said bar, and said spring means is a spring blade of arcuate configuration, substantially parallel to said pivot pin and extending through said slots, said spring blade being tensioned between the ends of said slots which are remotest from said pivot pin and the central portion of said rod.

2. Hinge device according to claim 1 wherein said cylindrical rod is retained by an enlarged head in said slots and said spring blade has at either end a pair of lateral slots adapted to be engaged by the side edges of said edges of said slots.

3. A hinge device with built-in door retainer for the lateral doors of motor vehicles, which comprises two straps each formed with a pair of parallel wings interconnected at one end by a perpendicular web constituting the fastening plate, a first strap revolving about a pivot pin within the other strap, the wings of the first strap being engaged between those of the other strap, the free ends of the wings of said first strap extending beyond said pivot pin and being interconnected by a first holding member formed with a rectilinear'shaped surface of which at least one portion opposite to said pivot pin is parallel to .said pivot pin and projects slightly beyond said free ends, said first holding member being adapted to co-act with another holding member extending through the wings of said other strap between its fastening plate and said pivot pin, said other holding member comprising a rectilinear shaped surface of which at least the portion facing said pivot pin is parallel to said pin and lies in the path of the shaped surface of said first holding member, one of said shaped surfaces being adapted to retract under the pressure of the other shaped surface, against the resistance of spring means, wherein one of said holding members is a cylindrical rod having its ends retained by the wings of one of said straps and the other holding member is a roll of elastomeric material mounted on a rod having its ends retained by the wings of the other' strap.

4. Hinge device according to claim 3 wherein said cylindrical ro'd formed with a retaining head engages a circular hole-formed in the wings of the other strap and said roll of elastomeric material is mounted with play on the rod rigid with the wings of the first strap. 

1. A hinge device with built-in door retainer for the lateral doors of motor vehicles, which comprises two straps each formed with a pair of parallel wings interconnected at one end by a perpendicular web constituting the fastening plate, a first strap revolving about a pivot pin within the other strap, the wings of the first strap being engaged between those of the other strap, the free ends of the wings of said first strap extending beyond said pivot pin and being interconnected by a first holding member formed with a rectilinear shaped surface of which at least one portion opposite to said pivot pin is parallel to said pivot pin and projects slightly beyond said free ends, said first holding member being adapted to co-act with another holding member extending through the wings of said other strap between its fastening plate and said pivot pin, said other holding member comprising a rectilinear shaped surface of which at least the portion facing said pivot pin is parallel to said pin and lies in the path of the shaped surface of said first holding member, one of said shaped surfaces being adapted to retract under the pressure of the other shaped surface, against the resistance of spring means, wherein said other holding member is a cylindrical rod engaging slots formed in the wings of said other strap and disposed substantially radially in relation to said pivot pin, said first holding member is a small bar rigid with the wings of said first strap and having its shaped surface formed on a friction member rigid with said bar, and said spring means is a spring blade of arcuate configuration, substantially parallel to said pivot pin and extending through said slots, said spring blade being tensioned between the ends of said slots which are remotest from said pivot pin and the central portion of said rod.
 2. Hinge device according to claim 1 wherein said cylindrical rod is retained by an enlarged head in said slots and said spring bladE has at either end a pair of lateral slots adapted to be engaged by the side edges of said edges of said slots.
 3. A hinge device with built-in door retainer for the lateral doors of motor vehicles, which comprises two straps each formed with a pair of parallel wings interconnected at one end by a perpendicular web constituting the fastening plate, a first strap revolving about a pivot pin within the other strap, the wings of the first strap being engaged between those of the other strap, the free ends of the wings of said first strap extending beyond said pivot pin and being interconnected by a first holding member formed with a rectilinear shaped surface of which at least one portion opposite to said pivot pin is parallel to said pivot pin and projects slightly beyond said free ends, said first holding member being adapted to co-act with another holding member extending through the wings of said other strap between its fastening plate and said pivot pin, said other holding member comprising a rectilinear shaped surface of which at least the portion facing said pivot pin is parallel to said pin and lies in the path of the shaped surface of said first holding member, one of said shaped surfaces being adapted to retract under the pressure of the other shaped surface, against the resistance of spring means, wherein one of said holding members is a cylindrical rod having its ends retained by the wings of one of said straps and the other holding member is a roll of elastomeric material mounted on a rod having its ends retained by the wings of the other strap.
 4. Hinge device according to claim 3 wherein said cylindrical rod formed with a retaining head engages a circular hole formed in the wings of the other strap and said roll of elastomeric material is mounted with play on the rod rigid with the wings of the first strap. 